Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-09
ing peculiar exceptional gifts for the
ministry, his capacity for the work was
amazing"
Sketch of the Great Preachers Life


sketch of the Great Preachers Life.
heV. Henry Ward Beecher was 74 years
OF age, having been born IN 1918, and was
the most famous preacher in this coun-
| tTys ana, perhaps, IN tie world. For a
quarter OF century he led the religious
Vhought among Protestants, and was re-
garded as without peer as a pulpit
orator he was born in Litohfeld, Conn,
aho was graduated from Amherst Col
iege, MASSACHUSETTS,, and the Lane Theo-
logical Seminary, Cincinnati. his father,
Lyman, was great preacher, and his
Drothers and sister have made their
MARKS IN the world. His sister, Harriet
Beecher Stowe, is the author of ''Uncle
TOMS Cabin" Soon after he graduated
ne became pastor of little church in
indianapolis, where he remained for ten
years lie then removed to Brooklyn in
lo4l and began that marvellous career
winch has made his name a household
word throughout the land. AS the pastor
OF Plymouth church he earned far.
reaching and well-deserved fame. His
! congregations were among the
largest that ever listened to
a preacher, and We're made up
| OF the most distinguished people
from all parts of the country. His SER
mons, which have generally been printed,
nave had wide influence at home and
abroad. His manner was impressive and
MS sense Of humor keen. He early took
a prominent stand against slavery, and
in 1863 he visited England for the purpose
OF influencing public sentiment in favor
or the North. AS writer he occupied a
kconsplcuous position. Fer twenty years
he was the editor OF the New York Inde-
pendent, and he made that paper power.
In 1870 he became the editor of the Chris
tlan Union, a religious weekly, and he
made it a success. He wrote several
works. Among them are Lectures to
Young Men," Industry and Idloness,"
Christ" He was at work on
the second volume OF ''Life
or ChrtsW when death summoned him.
tie was a Republican in politics, and
until the last Presidential campaign sup
ported the Republican Presidential can
d!dates. he refused to support Blaine,
however, aud made speeches for Mr..
Cleveland in the last Presidential cam
palRn. He was always rather active in
politics, both with his pen and on the
platform. An episode in mis- life was the
suit brought against him by Theodore
l1iton for alternating the affections of his
wife. The trial of the suit took place
twelve years ago in the City Court of
Brooklyn and occupied four months. II
was remarkable trial, and was followed
closely in all parts of this country and in
England. The jury stood nine to three
for acquittal, and public sentiment virtu-
ally conceded that to be verdict
in his favor. IL is doubtful if
any other preacher could have
lived down such a scandal as that was.
Fnat he retained his pulpit, and was al
most as popular before as after the trial,
showed the remarkable strength of
character Of the man. He made money
rapidly and spent it freely. His free
handed way of doing things was one of
the eources of his popularity.
Henry Ward Beecher was a great
preacher and q great man. He will take
mis- place in history as one of the great
men OF the nineteenth century.